Forest and Rangeland Birds of the United States

Natural History and Habitat Use

Dickcissel -- Spiza americana

RANGE: Breeds from eastern Montana and southern Canada to Massachusetts,
south to central Colorado, southern Texas, and central South Carolina. In the
eastern portion of the range, breeds sporadically and irregularly. Winters mostly
from Mexico to northern South America. Winters locally (in small numbers) in coastal
lowlands from southern New England south to Florida and west to southern Texas.

STATUS: Common in the Plains, but rare and local in the East; overall
population appears to be declining.

HABITAT: Generally inhabits grasslands having tall grasses, forbs,
or shrubs but also fields planted to such crops as alfalfa, clover, and timothy.
Also frequents abandoned or fallow croplands.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Dense herbaceous cover and song perches.

NEST: Builds a bulky, cup nest on the ground or attached to forks in
shrubs, vines, or low trees. Locates nests in a variety of situations such as
marshes, hayfields, abandoned or fallow croplands, roadsides, fencerows, and
grasslands.

FOOD: Gleans most of its food from the ground; eats mainly vegetable
materials - weed seeds and grain, and some insects.